Upper Bhadra Project will be completed by 2028: Karnataka Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy

Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy, who reviewed the progress of the Upper Bhadra project at Lakkavalli near Chikkamagaluru on Sunday (July 5), said the government is hopeful of completing the project by 2028, before the Congress party’s term ends.

Speaking to media persons, the Minister said that the government has already spent ₹ 12,000 crore on the project and it will benefit more than 74 lakh people spread over 12 taluks in four districts – Chikkamagaluru, Davanagere, Chitradurga and Tumakuru. “There were land acquisition issues in five locations. These were resolved in three locations. We appointed a retired forest officer to look into the issue,” he said.

Replying to a question, the Minister said that the Union government had promised to declare it a national project and announced ₹ 5,100 crore for it. “In our last meeting with Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, we reminded him of this promise,” he said.

Replying to a question about the Mekedatu project, the Minister said that the project will meet the drinking water needs of Bengaluru and help regulate the release of water to Tamil Nadu. “We can use 4.75 tmcft of water for drinking and generating electricity. We do not have the right to use water for agricultural purposes,” he said.

Last month, he said that as per the programme, Karnataka will release 9 tmcft of water to Tamil Nadu; but as water was not available the Cauvery Water Management Authority could not direct the release. He said if the Mekedatu project had been implemented, Karnataka would have been able to store water and give it to Tamil Nadu when required.

Tamil Nadu’s plea to oppose the project was rejected by the court. “We have prepared the detailed project report and once we get approval, we will take up the project. This is in the interest of both the states. If the matter remains in the courts, both the states will suffer. We hope the issue will be resolved through talks. We have requested the Union Jal Shakti Minister to hold talks on the issue,” he said.

Regarding the lack of rainfall and storage in the reservoirs, the Minister said that the storage is sufficient to meet the drinking water needs for the next 3-4 months. “But we are also hopeful of good rains in the coming days. There are reports of good rains in some parts of the state and the flow into the reservoirs is increasing,” he said.

The minister was accompanied by senior officials and members of parliament.